Returned From Active Service Badge: Private Charles Samuel Michie, 5 Battalion, AIF

ID Number    PERS002

Title                Returned From Active Service Badge: Private Charles Samuel Michie, 5 Battalion, AIF

Maker             Amor

Object Type   Badge

Place made     Australia: New South Wales, Sydney

Date made      c 1916

Physical          Brass

Description

Description

A circular brass badge surmounted by a King's Crown. Around the outside of the badge in raised lettering is 'ISSUED BY DEPT. OF DEFENCE RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE'. In the center of the badge is the rising sun under which is 'A.I.F.' in raised letters. On the reverse of the badge are two brass lugs. Beneath the lugs is impressed the badge number '17392'. Stamped under the badge number are the maker's details 'AMOR SYDNEY'.

Summary

Charles Samuel Michie was a 21 year old bookbinder’s finisher from Fitzroy Melbourne, with 2 years part-time service in the Victoria Rifles, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 17 August 1914. 696 Private Michie embarked for overseas from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A3 Orvieto on 21 October 1914 with D Company of 5 Battalion.  He took part in the landing on the Gallipoli peninsula on 25 April 1915.  He was wounded with a gun shot wound to the head on 9 May 1915 during the second battle of Krithia. He was evacuated from Gallipoli and was admitted to St. Andrews Military Hospital, Malta on 13 May 1915. On 2 February 1916 he reported that he had become blind in his right eye. He was transferred to the 3 Australian General Hospital Cairo on 27 March 1916. On 11 May 1916 he was returned to Australia due to his wounds and defective vision. He was discharged as medically unfit on 6 December 1916. His returned from active service badge #17392 was issued on 24 November 1916.

 For more information on the 5th Battalion, click here.

Samuel’s older brother, 621 Corporal George Michie served with 14 Battalion on Gallipoli and was wounded in action on 6 May 1915. After evacuation to Egypt he returned to Gallipoli on 20 May and was wounded a second time on 26 May, again being evacuated to Egypt. After developing Rheumatic fever he was sent to England in September. Following recovery, he was sent back to Egypt to join his unit in March 1916. He was subsequently diagnosed with cardiac disease on 2 May 1916. As a consequence of this he left Egypt to return to Australia on 10 June 1916. He was discharged medically unfit on 24 August 1916.

For more information on the 14th Battalion, click here.